Now 41, King's path has been different to the path he intended, but he said it had still been an amazing journey.

He credited his achievements largely to the Cochlear implants he received eight months after he lost his hearing in 2004 and now he wants to raise awareness for the other 3.5 million Aussies living with hearing impairment.

"I had an amazing doctor who gave me the implant and he gave me hope to get back in the water," he said.

"What it allows now and my interactions … without it I can't function.

"I have a huge amount of gratitude for that.

"You don't realise how incredible humans are until you're in a state of crisis.

"I've got a bionic ear. I didn't even know they existed and the fact that it's an Australian company makes me even more proud to be honest."